1953] RITZENTHALER, CHIPPEWA HEALTH 239 



location. The answer here seems to be that there is actually a third tradition 

 represented by the Plains nomads and developed on the Plains largely because 

 of a unique situation in the form of a plentiful, but roving, food supply 

 which demanded particular cultural adaptations in order for it to be ex- 

 ploited. This tradition may have been expanded or influenced in some way 

 by the infiltration of such peoples as the Plains Dakota and Crow from the 

 Southeast, and by later arrivals such as the Arapaho and Cheyenne migratmg 

 to the Plains through the Woodland area, and perhaps bringing elements 

 of the Northern Tradition with them. In summary, the picture for the Plains 

 is so complex due to cultural change and admixture that one can say only 

 that while the Southern Tradition is fairly well represented by the remnant 

 agricultural peoples, the nomads represent not the Northern Tradition (al- 

 though some elements of it are to be found), but rather a third tradition 

 based on communal rather than individualistic hunting. 



THE SOUTHEAST 



Turning our attention to the Indians of the Southeast we find a culture 

 strongly reflecting the Southern Tradition. Wissler (p. 238) selecting the 

 Muskogeans, Yuchi, and Cherokee as representing the typical culture in this 

 area enumerates the following traits: "great use of vegetable food and inten- 

 sive agriculture: raised maize, cane, pumpkins, melons, and tobacco . . . ; 

 elaborate planting and harvesting rituals, especially an important ceremony 

 known as the 'busk"; shamanism prominent." The latter trait seems some- 

 what egregious in terms of our hypothesis, but there is little doubt that the 

 priests were the powerful members of the tribes over the shamans. "Accord- 

 ing to Bartram, "besides several juniors or graduates,' there was a high 

 priest in every Creek town. These were persons of consequence and exer- 

 cised great influence in the state, particularly in military aff^airs." They 

 would ". . . foretell rain or drought and pretend to bring rain at pleasure, 

 cure diseases, and exercise witchcraft, invoke or expell evil spirits, and even 

 assume the power of directing thunder and lightning."' (Swanton, 1910, p. 

 523.) Such elements as intensive agriculture coupled with a well-developed 

 religious complex focusing on planting and harvesting rites, and a powerful 

 priesthood well represent the Southern Tradition. 



THE SOUTHWEST 



Perhaps the most typical representatives of the Southern Tradition are the 

 Pueblo Indians of Arizona and New Mexico. Associated with the basic 



